Waiting for Godās response
Habakkuk 2: If it seems slow in coming wait…it will come right on time.
The prophet has stated his concerns to the Almighty. Heās troubled that a holy God would use such unholy people as his workers in the world. Having asked his questions of God, Habakkuk braces himself for Godās answer. The first thing he hears from God is that the Lord does, indeed, have an answer for him. The second message he receives is that sometimes Godās answers appear to be slow in coming but theyāre worth waiting for, and when they do come, it’s plain that God not only answered well, but the answer came at just the right time. This passage is a wonderful blessing to all who have dealt with hard things in their lives; who have asked God for help in understanding them but havenāt yet received an answer. At such times Godās word to Habakkuk is also his word to us: āwait.ā Iām not a big fan of waiting but in this passage Iām reminded that God hasnāt forgotten me and he isnāt ignoring me. At just the right time ā in Godās time ā the answer will come. When it does, it will have been well worth the wait.
Take Away: Sometimes the Lordās answers appear to be slow in coming but theyāre worth waiting for.
Tag: trust
Devotional on Habakkuk
Trusting without understanding
Habakkuk 2: Look at that man…full of himself but soul-empty.
The prophet understands that sinful Babylon is Godās chosen instrument for punishing sinful Judah. As bad as Judah is, Habakkuk is having a hard time understanding how God could ever use such an evil nation as his tool against the Children of Abraham. Habakkuk reverently takes his concern to God and now God answers. A part of that answer is contained in chapter two of this brief book of the Bible. The Lord tells Habakkuk he’s well aware of the sin of Babylon. Although the language used suggests that the remarks are about only the King of Babylon, the context tells us that it’s the nation as a whole that’s being described. The Lord wants Habakkuk to know that he hasnāt underestimated the sin of Babylon and he isnāt about to overlook it. Babylonās self-indulgent pride, its injustice, and its immorality will be dealt with. Just because God intends to use this nation for his own purpose doesnāt mean that he’s going to overlook its sin. The Lord remains sovereign and, in the end, he always has the last word. This godless empire is, indeed, a tool in the hands of the Almighty. At some point it may seem that Babylon is getting the benefit of this arraignment, but the real result will only be seen when the final chapter is written. Today, Iām reminded that all of Creation is in Godās hands. Anytime he wants, he can use whoever he wants for his purposes. The Lord doesnāt need for me to explain his actions or to make apologies for them. He does, however, insist that I trust him even when I donāt understand him.
Take Away: Iām not required to understand the Lord but I am called to trust him.
Devotional on Habakkuk
The God who never fails
Habakkuk 3: Counting on Godās Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength.
The little book of Habakkuk is all about the prophetās concern with how God works in the world. How can a holy God use such an unrighteousness people as those of Babylon to accomplish his purposes? The Lord answers his question, first, by assuring Habakkuk that he’s aware of sin and rebellion and that it will be judged. The second answer, I think, is when the prophet sees God, in his holiness, enter his Temple. Such a vision of God produces an awed silence and an undeniable assurance that God is God. Because of that, whatever happens will be the right thing. Habakkuk breaks out in praise, writing what might be called a ādisplaced psalm.ā The final chorus, in particular, states an unshakable trust in the Lord. āThough the cherry trees donāt blossom and the strawberries donāt ripen…Iām singing joyful praise to God…counting on Godās Rule to prevail.ā This hymn is a powerful expression of trust in God. Even when the enemy attacks, even when life takes an unwelcome turn, even when all else fails…even then I rejoice in the One who never fails.
Take Away: Even when live is confusing and painfulā¦even then, God is God and God never fails.
Devotional on Haggai
Me, doing my part
Haggai 2: I own the silver, I own the gold.
Every Jew knows about the Temple. Even though it was destroyed decades ago theyāve heard stories of its glory. A few of the old people actually saw it when they were children. It could be that one reason the returned exiles have neglected the rebuilding of the Temple is because they donāt think they can do it justice and whatever they do will be a pale reflection of the great Temple of history. For one thing, they canāt furnish it in silver and gold as their ancestors did when they first built the Temple. Fearing that they canāt do a good enough job of rebuilding they havenāt started at all. Now, in Haggaiās second sermon, he tells the people they donāt have to worry about that. If they do what they can do God will do the rest. In this case, the Lordās word is that heāll provide the silver and gold if they just get started on the building. So what is it in my life thatās never been started because I know I lack the resources to complete it? Is my failure here not so much resource-based as it is faith-based? Years earlier the ancestors of Haggaiās congregation were told to march forward through the Red Sea. Even though they didnāt have the resources to dam up the waters, they obeyed. When they did what they could do, God did the rest. What might the Lord do in my life if I would simply do what I can do while trusting the One who owns the silver and gold of this world to do the rest?
Take Away: We do our part while trusting the Lord to do his.
Devotional on Matthew
Living in the present
Matthew 6: Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now.
I donāt think thereās anything wrong with anticipation. Part of the joy of Christmas is the ālonging with hopeā aspect of it that we highlight on the first Sunday of Advent each year. Still, thereās a danger of so looking forward to something in the future that we forget to live in the present. Life isnāt all about tomorrow, for good or bad. Life is lived in the present. It has no rewind or fast forward buttons. In this passage Jesus reminds us that God is with us āright now.ā We remember wonderful blessings in the past and appreciate what the Lord did for us then. We also look to the future with confidence in faith that the same good, gracious God will be with us in that day. Still, itās right now thatās most under my control. Not that I control the circumstances of right now, but I have some say about how I will live in those circumstances. So, one thing I gain from this passage is the reminder to live in this present moment; to appreciate the good things and to trust God with the not-so-good things. The other thing that comes to mind is the calm, certain assurance that God is, indeed, doing something āright now.ā I may be praying for a great revival to come to my church, longing for that day to come. I may be looking forward to some major life event like the birth of a grandchild or some special anniversary. However, Jesus tells me that God is also doing things right here and right now. Heās working in my life, walking with me in these ordinary days of life. After all, the great mystery of Christmas is the incarnation, Emmanuel, God with us.
Take Away: I need to be more aware of the blessings of life right now and not always focusing on some future blessing.
Devotional on Matthew
A wonderful faith experiment
Matthew 14: When he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve.
This is such a neat story! Out on the sea in rough, windy conditions Jesus comes to the disciples, walking on the water. Peter asks for permission to join Jesus out on the waves and Jesus tells him to ācome.ā Peter does it! He climbs out of the boat and steps out onto the water. Canāt you imagine Jesus and Peter laughing together as they do the impossible! However, this is no glassy pond on a summer afternoon. Instead, theyāre in the dark in a wind storm and the waves are high. For Jesus and Peter it must be quite a ride, bobbing up and down, being sprayed by the driven waves. Itās at that point that euphoria drains from Peter. The waterās very real and in no way capable of supporting him. As he begins to sink he looks up to Jesus who remains confidently on top of the water. āSave me!ā Peter cries. Without a secondās hesitation, Jesus reaches out and pulls him back on top, now carrying the weight of both of them. Jesus calls Peter āfaint heartā but I think heās quietly pleased that Peter joined him in this wonderful experiment of faith. I know this is a unique situation: a moment in history. Still, I canāt help but be impressed by the power of faith in very real, impossible situations. Iām also glad to note that Peter didnāt have to cry out but one time. Jesus may have called Peter a āfaint heartā but he saved him first.
Take Away: God responds to our faith in wonderful, sometimes unexpected ways.
Devotional on Mark
Power packed words
Mark 5: Donāt listen to them; just trust me.
Jesus arrives in the seaside village by boat and is greeted by a large, enthusiastic crowd. One of those seeking our Lordās attention is a respected member of the community, Jairus. His daughter is very sick and he asks Jesus to come and heal her. Jesus agrees, but along the way a woman āstealsā a miracle, touching the fringe of Jesusā clothes. This delays Jesus and, while everyone else is enjoying the miracle the woman experienced, Jairus receives the bad news that itās too late and his daughter has died. Itās now that Jesus tells Jairus to ignore their words and trust him. The Lord goes to his home and in a private audience raises the twelve year old back to life. The words of the Lord to Jairus speak to my heart today. How often the voices of circumstance or experience sadly report that thereās nothing that will help and I might as well throw in the towel and cope as best I can. In the midst of discouragement Jesus says, āDonāt listen. Donāt give up and donāt doubt. Instead, look at me. Focus; remember who I am and what I can do. Remember that I love you and I wouldnāt let you get into this situation if I didnāt have the authority to see you through it. Trust me.ā These brief words to Jairus are packed with power and hope.
Take Away: Remember who Jesus is; look to him even in the impossible moments of life.
Devotional on Luke
Do you think copiers pick up on our stress level?
Luke 12: What Iām trying to do here is get you to relax.
Most Sundays I arrive at church early, meeting with friends for coffee and prayer. Usually, as weāre praying I can hear the church āwaking upā as folks start arriving. Generally, I like what I hear. Iām a real fan of happy chatter, children playing, folks sounding glad to see one another. Sometimes, though, I can tell that the morning isnāt going well for some. Theyāve met with some issue or another on the way to church. Maybe thereās some family argument going on. Others have things to take care of when they get to church. They arrive and want to get past the friendly greetings as quickly as possible so they can hurry and make copies before their class begins. I appreciate their dedication but wish I could get them to relax a bit. In the passage Iām reading today Jesus notes that some people are always worried about one thing or another. His examples arenāt just frivolous stuff either. Theyāre concerned about having food to eat and clothes to wear. In soothing tones our Lord points to how God supplies the needs of nature and assures them that theyāre more valuable to him than all else. I understand that life brings unexpected, last minute concerns to us so Iām not being critical of those folks who anxiously wait for the copier to warm up. Still, I have the idea that their day will go much better if theyāll make it their practice to join us in prayer, enjoying some quiet time in the presence of the Lord before launching into a busy Sunday morning.
Take Away: If I view the Lord as a stern unyielding judge I have every reason to be stressed ā if I see him as my loving Heavenly Father I can rest in the assurance of his provision for me.
Devotional on Luke
Big faith, little faith
Luke 17: There is no āmoreā or ālessā in faith.
Theyāve seen Jesus do amazing things. On some days heās healed so many people that they couldnāt even keep track of them all. Heās fed thousands and walked on water. He then explains it all as the result of faith. Theyāre convinced so they ask Jesus to give them more faith. His response is that with faith thereās no such thing as more or less. You either have it or you donāt. A ālittle bitā of faith is as powerful as a ālotā of faith. At least thatās what I hear Jesus saying in this passage. At other times, though, Jesus talks about people having āgreatā faith and he sometimes chides the disciples for having ālittleā faith. Hereās what I think Jesus is saying: when I have faith I believe God can do anything. When I have great faith I apply that belief in some extraordinary way. Itās not my faith thatās large or small. Rather, itās my application of what I already believe that can be āgreatā or āsmall.ā Like the disciples, I donāt really need to believe in God more. I already believe that he is Almighty and acting in the world. However, also like the disciples, I do need to trust him with more of my life, even the areas that are so big and menacing that I tend to be overwhelmed by them.
Take Away: Lord, I believe. Help me with my unbelief.
Devotional on John
Peter, stop arguing!
John 13: Why canāt I follow now?
Itās Thursday night before Jesus is arrested. He and his disciples are in the Upper Room and Jesus is in the role of servant, washing their feet. He comes to Peter, but Peter resists, declaring āYouāre not going to wash my feet ā ever!ā Jesus, though, persists telling Peter that if he wonāt allow this that heāll have no part in what Jesus has come to do. Peter decides to give in, but if thatās how it is, he has a better idea. He wants Jesus to wash his hands and head as well. Once again, our Lord holds steady, explaining that itās foot washing that Peter needs and itās foot washing that heās going to get. Then, the meal ended, Jesus tenderly commands his disciples to love one another. This, he says, will be their primary, distinguishing characteristic. As Jesus is stating these words, Peterās focus is on what Jesus said earlier. He ignores the teaching concerning mutual love and wants to know where Jesus is going. The Lord patiently responds, telling Peter that someday heāll follow but not right now. Peter is having none of that. āWhy later? Why not now?ā he demands. Then he adds, āIāll lay down my life for you.ā At this point, Jesus has had enough of Peterās approach. Even as he declares his allegiance to the Lord his responses are always that he knows better than Jesus. At this point Jesus tells him that big time failure is coming to him, and soon. I donāt know whether to smile at Peterās āLord, I love you but I know better than youā approach or if I should wince and remember the times Iāve blundered ahead of the Lord thinking I knew what to do without asking him. How often do my actions betray the truth that I think I know better than God?
Take Away: A part of following Jesus is admitting that heās smarter than we are.
Devotional on Acts
Itās out of our hands
Acts 21: āItās in Godās hands now,ā we said. āMaster, you handle it.ā
In spite of repeated warnings from Godās people that this trip to Jerusalem will end with him in chains Paul remains convinced that this is what the Lord wants. He believes that the gospel will be advanced in entirely new ways as a result of his facing whatever it is that he must face there. Frankly, Iām not clear as to whether or not this is the Lordās express will for Paul. It may be that this is mostly Paulās idea and that the Lord has warned him but also assured him that he can get good out of what is coming. On the other hand, this may be exactly Godās plan. I just donāt know. Paulās friends, though, know what they want. They want Paul to stay out of Jerusalem and away from the trouble that awaits him there. The great Apostle, though, is having none of it. Heās bound for Jerusalem and nothing they say is going to change his mind. At this point they do the only reasonable thing: they hand it all off to the Lord. Why try to press the debate with Paul? Why lay awake at night and worry about it? Sooner or later we find ourselves right where they are. We donāt agree with the course of action a respected brother or sister in Christ is taking, but they’re convinced that itās the right thing to do. At that point, we need to decide to take our hands off and trust the Lord with it. From then on, we can go on loving and supporting our friend without trying to change their mind or even holding an āI told you soā in reserve. Know what? The Master really can handle it.
Take Away: Thereās a time for letting others work out their own lives; for letting the Lord and them handle things without our help.
Devotional on Romans
The Holy Spirit working through me
Romans 15: The wondrously powerful and transformingly present words and deeds of Christ in me.
Adventures, Paulās had some! Heās pioneered the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the region. Heās been at the forefront of a tidal wave of the work of the Holy Spirit and, because of that, heās not only taken plenty of hits, heās also seen first-hand just what God can do. Paul, though, is quite humble about all that. He doesnāt glorify himself. Rather, he gives glory to the Lord for it all. At times, even though heās in the middle of it all heās found himself more bystander than participant as something āwondrously powerfulā happens. Paul understands that it isnāt his cleverness or winning personality thatās ātriggered a believing response.ā The message about Christ is actually delivered by Christ, through Paul. I wish I had a better handle on this. So often I find myself behaving as though itās all about my performance. I let myself become so focused on how Iām doing that I forget that, actually, Iām not required to do much at all. The Lord wants me to place my full weight of trust on him and allow him to minister through me. My cooperation is required and the Lord will use my personality, education, etc. along the way, but itās all powered by his Holy Spirit and not by me. There are times when Paul is amazed at the response to his ministry. As I cooperate with the Lord, I, too, will be surprised as lives are touched as the Lord ministers to people through me. Letās not be guilty of underestimating the ability of the Lord to minister through us.
Take Away: As we cooperate with the Lord he does amazing things through us that surprise us as much as anyone else.
Devotional on 1 Thessalonians
The bottom line
1Thessalonians 5: If he said it, heāll do it.
When Paul first preached the gospel at Thessalonica he made it quite clear to them that not only is Jesus coming back, but that they can be ready for that sure event. Both of these things are absolutely true, facts that can be taken to the bank. He also told them in no uncertain terms that the date of the Lordās return is quite uncertain. No secret codes reveal the date. Weāre sure heās coming but weāre in the dark as to when. Whatās left? In the words of Jesus, we must ābe ready.ā Paul reminds them of that as he closes this short letter. As I live my life in the Lord, trusting in him and cooperating with him, he makes me āholy and wholeā and keeps me āfit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.ā The bottom line in any discussion concerning the Second Coming is that, while we donāt know when it will happen, we can be (and must be) ready for it. So I pay attention to the things that matter: prayer, cooperation with God, showing compassion, staying away from āanything tainted with evil.ā I donāt know āwhenā but Iām reminded in this passage that I do know āhowā to get ready and stay ready for Jesus to come back.
Take Away: The most important thing in life is being ready for the sure return of Jesus Christ.
Devotional on 2 Thessalonians
The Antichrist and the last days
2Thessalonians 2: Donāt let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter.
The congregation at Thessalonica is, in the words of Elvis, āAll shook up,ā over some gossip that Paul says Jesus has already returned and theyāve missed it. Paul reminds them of what he told them about this topic while he was with them. The events surrounding the Second Coming will be too big to miss. Two huge, worldwide events will dominate all else: a great Apostasy and the rise of a very bad person who’ll pretend to be God Almighty. The spirit of this personification of evil is already evident in the world, so they already have an idea of what it will be like but when the real deal comes no one will be left wondering whether or not āthis is it.ā The Apostle hurries to reassure them that everythingās going to be okay. Just when it seems all is lost Jesus will appear and without any difficulty at all, will handle this bad guy. Paul tells his readers heās not all that concerned about this stuff. After all, he has bigger fish to fry. Just what is that? Why, itās putting his time and energy into thanking God for what heās doing and is going to do in their lives. So, what am I to do with āend daysā concerns? Iām to be aware that some bad things are coming to the world. Iām to remember that Jesus is coming back and heāll handle it all with ease. Especially, Iām to keep my eyes on the Lord and use my energies in living for him and in him and not let myself get worked up over stuff I barely understand in the first place.
Take Away: I trust the Lord, not my knowledge about how everything will happen at the end of time.
Devotional on Hebrews
Christianity 101
Hebrews 6: The basic foundational truths are in place.
There are lots of important things for Christians to know but what are the most important ones? Before moving on to the deeper things of God what are the basics that must be first mastered. Using the lingo of the university, what courses are included in Christianity 101? The writer of Hebrews lists 5 ācoursesā that must be passed before the believer is ready to deal with more advanced topics. First is trust in God. For me to even be a Christian in the first place I must stop trusting in myself as a source of salvation and start trusting in the Lord. Second is baptism. This entry sacrament is an important part of my becoming a participant in the grace of God and shouldnāt be overlooked. Third is ālaying on of hands.ā This may be the most challenging of the five, but I think itās an understanding that God calls people to the ministry and that the church is to recognize that they are called and then to ordain them as set apart for service and leadership by the Lord. Perhaps this needs to be understood early in the Christian life because the Lord often calls people to a life of ministry early on, or even as a part of, their salvation experience. Fourth is āresurrection of the dead.ā Believers are, well, believers. We believe Jesus was resurrected from the grave on that first Easter morning. We believe that because of his resurrection all who trust in him share in that same resurrection hope. Fifth is āeternal judgment.ā New Christians are to understand that eternity is at stake in their lives and in the lives of all people who will stand before the Lord in final judgment. These five things arenāt all there is to faith. In fact, they arenāt even all there is at the core, but the writer of Hebrews highlights them as a good starting point. Once these things are settled, itās time to move on. He says, āLetās get on with it!ā
Take Away: We donāt want to camp out just inside the gate. At the same time we need to master the basics before we can move on.
Devotional on Hebrews
Continuing the story
Hebrews 11: Their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole.
This chapter of the Bible is called the āfaith chapterā because of its almost poetic description of the power of faith. Now, itās not just faith in faith. The focus of this powerful faith is clearly identified as ātrust in God.ā If I place my faith elsewhere, no matter now sincere that faith might be; it will be an act of foolishness that will take me down the path of disappointment and maybe even destruction. The heroes of faith described in this passage didnāt believe in belief. Rather they believed in, and trusted in, God. These people werenāt disappointed as the Lord came through for them in wonderful ways. The writer takes us on a faith tour, stopping before each exhibit just long enough to remind us of their victorious stories. Before weāre ready, he tells us time is up and we get just a glance down the hall of ācurrent eventsā where we see people making great sacrifices for their faith, believing whatever it is theyāre facing is worth the reward they’re earning. As we prepare to move on, our host says something quite surprising. As wonderful as their examples of faith is, itās incomplete. Weāre not on this tour just to look back. Rather, weāre here to be inspired to join in; to add our stories to theirs. Their looking-forward-to-Godās-better-plan-faith is to be balanced and completed by our embracing-the-better-plan-thatās-now-available-faith. As we live in this new salvation plan we prove the validity of their faith years ago. They carried the torch of faith as far as they could; now itās been passed on to us. What an honor, what a privilege, and what a responsibility is ours.
Take Away: We donāt just remember great faith of years gone by ā we embrace it and advance it to our day and age.
Devotional on James
Praying in times of pain or confusion
James 1: If you donāt know what youāre doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help.
James writes his letter to Christians in general, scattered throughout the region. His writings might be labeled ācommon sense Christianityā because he covers many topics and always in a reasonable, ātell it like it isā way. For instance, he doesnāt deny that hard times have come to many of them but at the same time he tells them that such an unwelcome set of circumstances isnāt all bad. In fact, they can rejoice when, in the midst of trials they catch themselves responding as genuine people of faith. As hard times continue they can be pleased as they realize that theyāre handing such times better than they would have earlier on. It isnāt fun to go through hardship, but thereās reason to rejoice when I realize Iām responding as I think Jesus would and that Iām maturing in my relationship with him. James knows this sounds like so much gibberish to many people; outsiders for sure, but also to some believers who’ve concluded that if theyāre faithful to the Lord and trust in him things will always go well for them. The Apostle has some advice for that crowd too: pray about it. If Iām in a fix and canāt imagine how God can work in such a disaster, I donāt have to pretend Iām handling things just fine. Instead, I can turn to the Lord and confess that Iām having a hard time seeing him anywhere in all this mess. James is absolutely sure that the Father will hear and respond to such a prayer. I guess it would be better if my first response was the best one, but if that doesnāt happen, the next choice is a good one too as in absolute honesty I run to the Father, telling him I just donāt get it and I sure donāt like it. After all, James assures me, āGod loves to help.ā
Take Away: Itās encouraging to catch oneself responding to an unwelcome situation as we believe Jesus would respond.
Devotional on James
Planning for tomorrow with an eye toward God
James 4: You donāt know the first thing about tomorrow.
James challenges Christians in how they talk about the future. He advises us to not state with an attitude of certainty what will happen tomorrow. Instead, weāre to be humble about it, saying things like, āIf itās the Lordās will weāll do this or that tomorrow.ā Now, heās not giving us some formula to say as much as heās describing an attitude weāre to have. Heās opposed to Christians living self-willed, God-ignoring lives in which we imagine ourselves to be self-sufficient and operating independent of the Lord. Heās not against my making plans and having dreams. At the same time, heās in favor of my planning and dreaming with an eye toward God. The Lord, himself is a planner, operating on a scale far beyond my comprehension. As an individual created in his image I too plan, thinking about a desirable future and working now to bring it to pass. However, unlike my Heavenly Father, my view is limited and because of that, my expectations are flawed. I remember that Iām to pray for my ādaily breadā trusting the Lord to supply the need of the day. To plan for the future while ignoring God isnāt only foolish. According to James it āis evil.ā
Take Away: Ultimately, my future ā my life ā is in Godās hands and not my own.
Devotional on 1 Peter
Happy in Jesus
1Peter 1: You trust him, with laughter and singing.
Peterās words are addressed to believers who are āscattered to the four winds.ā These followers of Jesus donāt have it easy. Theyāre treated as outsiders and sometimes they suffer because of their faith. However, Peterās writing to them isnāt heavy and grim. He doesnāt advise them to grit their teeth and hold on. Rather, he describes the victory thatās already theirs. He envisions their gatherings as joyful, celebrative events in which they sing and laugh, buoyed by the living presence of Jesus in their lives. The idea here isnāt that they pretend everythingās okay when it obviously isnāt. Instead, itās that they see a bigger picture and weighing their current situation against ātotal salvationā they find that theyāre the big winners. Beyond that, itās more than just āpie in the skyā for them. Something has happened and is happening in their lives right now. These are people who just canāt get over how blessed they are. While itās true that my life is quite easy, especially in comparison to that of these scattered Christians, I do share in their blessings. As I get together with my Christian friends, whether itās in formal worship or relaxed fellowship, I hear lots of good singing and good natured laughter. That, my friend, is exactly as it should be.
Take Away: Itās good to remember that itās a joy living in Jesus and that itās fun being with his people.
Devotional on Revelation
A mystery within a mystery
Revelation 10: Donāt write a word.
The final three of the seven trumpets are called the āwoe-trumpets.ā Following the sounding of the sixth trumpet and the woe ushered in by it, thereās an interlude before the final trumpet sounds. Mysterious things happen. A mighty angel calls out and is answered by Seven Thunders. John dutifully starts to write it all down but is told, as the prophet Daniel was told centuries earlier, to seal up what heās just heard. To this day any effort to understand this scene is more a guess than anything else. Simply put, no one has a clue as to whatās happening here. For an event in a book called āRevelationā it feels quite strange to have John commanded to silence. However, not knowing or understanding something leaves us in familiar territory. Frankly, what I do know of spiritual matters might fill a thimble. What I donāt know would fill an ocean. That doesnāt mean that I rejoice in my ignorance. I want to know all thatās knowable and understand all thatās understandable. This mysterious passage reminds me that not only am I not expected to fully understand everything that there are some things Iām not allowed to understand even in part. In some cases, I explore the best I can, grasp as Iām able and then move on, trusting God with all the mysteries that are beyond my grasp. In the specific case of this passage, I read it, scratch my head a bit, and move on; filing this mystery with a million others that I must leave in the capable hands of the Almighty.
Take Away: We donāt understand many of the things of God, but we can know him. Thatās enough.